Railway traffic controlling apparatus



Sept- 1942- H. s. YOUNG 2,294,496

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 -W 20 glkw ill 152 12 J RV 3' 9 -L- I 9 C(i/IZT'UZ ZV Q R lx ii, Flearl'c L locli'mgCOIH IWZ INVENTOR Henry5 Yaany.

H15 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1942 RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLINGAPPARATUS Henry S. Young, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch& Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication September 24, 1941, Serial No. 412,126

Claims. (01. 246-219) My invention relates to railway trafiiccontrolling apparatus, andit has particular reference to theorganization of. such apparatus into novel and improved systems forcontrolling and indicating positions of railway track switches. Moreparticularly, my invention relates to the organization of such apparatusinto systems arranged to obtain safety of operation and protectionagainst crossed wires.

An object of my invention is to provide simplified systems forcontrolling railway track switches.

Another object is to provide railway track switch control systemsarranged to prevent false operation of the switches due to crossedwires, etc.

A further object is to provide new and improved systems for controllingand indicating railway track switches.

The above-mentioned and other important objects and characteristicfeatures of my invention which will become readily apparent from thefollowing description, are attained in accordance with my invention byutilizing two switch repeater relays one for the normal and the otherfor the reverse position of the switch, and by energizing such normaland reverse repeater relays in multiple with the normal and reversevalve magnets of the switch operating mechanism, respectively, overcircuits incorporating contacts of the switch repeater relays andarranged in such manner as to prevent improper operation of themechanism should a cross exist upon the system.

The invention further resides in the particular apparatus employed andin the details of the arrangement thereof, as will be made clear in thefollowing description.

I shall describe three forms of apparatus embodying my invention, andshall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, ,Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustratingone form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 arediagrammatic views each showing modified forms of the apparatus shown inFig. 1, and each also embodying my invention. Similar referencecharacters have been employed to designate corresponding parts in eachof the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character W designates acrossover comprising a pair of switches, designated by the referencecharacters S with distinguishing suffixes, connecting together the railsof two stretches of track I and 2' ach wi ch is, pe at y n ec ed with aswitch operating mechanism, designated by the reference character SMwith a suitably distinguishing suffix, and preferably of theelectropneumatic type. Each, switch mechanism SM comprises a normalvalve magnet NV, a reverse valve magnet RV, and a lock valve magnet LV,it being understood that a switch mechanism SM causes its associatedswitch S to operate to its normal position when normal valve magnet NVis energized and to a reverse position when reverse valve magnet RV isenergized, provided that in each instance lock valve magnet LV also isenergized. Each switch mechanism SM has associated therewith a polechanger, designated by the reference character J with a suitablydistinguishing suffix, having a movable member 5 operatively connectedto the switch mechanism and arranged so that in the normal position,that is, the position shown in the drawing, contacts 6 and I are bridgedby member 5, whereas in the reverse position of the switch, that is, theposition the reverse of that shown in the drawings, contacts 8 and 9 arebridged by member 5.

Switch mechanisms SM are controlled by a manually operable lever V,which may, for example, comprise a switch lever of an interlockingmachine. Lever V is adapted to assume various positions, as illustratedin the drawing, and comprising a full normal position N, an intermediateposition X, another intermediate position Y, and a full reverse positionR. Lever V is provided with a plurality of contacts, designated by thereference characters II] and II, arranged -so as to be closed atdifferent positions of the lever. The positions in which the contactsare closed are indicated in the drawing by the reference charactersdesignating the positions of lever V. For example, contact H] of lever Vbears the reference character NX, indicating that contact I0 is closedwhen the lever is in its full normal position N, its intermediateposition X, or any position between the two.

Lever V is provided with a handle I2 having a latch operativelyconnected to a latch operated contact I3 biased to an open position butarranged to close when the latch is actuated in ment is operativelyconnected with lever V. Pro- ,jection IE on segment I! is proportionedto lie within the portion of the stroke of lever V intermediate its Nand R positions so as to prevent a movement of lever V from its normalposition N to its intermediate position X, or from its reverse positionR to its intermediate position Y, unless magnet I4 is energized toactuate locking dog I5 out of engagement with projection I6. Thearrangement is such, therefore, that contact I or I I, as the case maybe, may be opened upon movement of the lever only if the lever lock BLis energized.

The lever lock DL is controlled. over an obvious circuit represented inthe drawing as extending from one terminal B of a suitable source ofcurrent, such as a battery not shown but'having its opposite terminalsdesignated by the reference characters B and C, through a contact I9controlled by the usual electric locking means incorporated into switchcontrol circuits, latch'operated contact I3, and the winding of magnetI4 to the other terminal C of the source. The electric lo king apparatusis representedconventionally and may comprise, for example, section ordetector locking, approach locking, route looking, etc., the details ofwhich have been omitted in order to simplify the drawing.

The reference characters WP with suitably distinguishing prefixesdesignate switch position repeater relays, one relay NWP for repeatingthe normal position of the switches. and the other. relay RWP forrepeating the reverse position of the switches. Each repeater relay WPcontrols contacts, some of which have been represented in the drawing atpoints remote from the associated relay. Each of these contacts,however, hasbeen identified by a reference character individual to suchcontact. as well as by placing directly above such contact the referencecharacter of the relay withwhich such contact is associated.

.The apparatus of Fig. 1 is in its normal condition, as represented inthe drawing, when lever V is in its normal position and both switches SIand S2 of crossover W occupy their respective normal positions. In thiscondition of the apparatus, the normal valve magnets NV of switchmechanisms SMI and SM2 are energized in series over a circuit extendingfrom terminal B through contact II] of lever V, back contact 2| of relayRWP, and Valve magnets NV of switch mechanisms SMI and SMZ,respectively, to terminal C. With switches SI and S2 in their respectivenormal positions, contact members of circuit controllers J I and J2engage their respective contact members 6 and I, and normal switchrepeater relay NWP is energized over a circuit corresponding to thepreviously traced circuit for the normal valve magnets through backcontact 2I of reverse switch repeater relay RWP and then extendingthrough contacts 6-5-I of circuit controllers J I and J 2, respectively,back contact 22 of reverse switch repeater relay RWP, and the winding ofnormal switch repeater relay NWP to terminal C.

With the apparatus in its normal condition, the operator may move theswitch points of crossover W to their reverse positions by firstclosing; latch contact I3 to complete the previously mentionedenergizing circuit for lever lock DL. Magnet I4 of the lock accordinglybecomes energized and actuates locking dog I5 out of engagement withprojection I6 of segment II, thereby enabling the operator to moveleverV from its normal position Ntoits reverse posi-.

tion R). When the lever passes its intermediate position X, contact I0opens to cause normal valve magnets NV and normal switch repeater relayNWP to become denergized, and when the lever reaches its intermediateposition Y, contact II closes to complete a circuit for the reversevalve magnets RV of switch mechanisms SMI and SM2. This circuit extendsfrom terminal B through contact II of lever V, back contact 23 of normalswitch repeater relay NWP, and reverse valve magnets RV of mechanismsSMI and SM2, respectively, to terminal C. Lock magnets LV of the switchmechanisms also become energized over a circuit extending from terminalB through back contact 24 of normal switch repeater relay NWP, backcontact 25 of reverse switch repeater relay RWP, and lock magnets LV ofswitch mechanisms SMI and SM2, respectively, to terminal C.

With the reverse and lock valve magnets of the switch mechanismsenergized, switches SI and S2 are caused to operate to their reversepositions, thereby causing contact members 5 of circuit controllers J Iand J2: to move out of engagement with their respective contact members6 and l and into engagement with contact members 8 and 9 when theswitches reach their full reverse positions. When this happens, reverseswitch repeater relay RWP becomes energized over a circuit extendingfrom terminal B through contact II of lever V, back contact 23 of relayNWP, contacts 8-59 of controllers J I and J2, respectively, back contact26 of relay NW? and the winding of reverse switch repeater relay RWP toterminal C. Relay RWP accordingly becomes energized and opens its backcontacts 2|, 22 and 25 to open, respectively, the previously tracedenergizing circuit for the normal valve magnets of the switchmechanisms, the previously traced circuit of th normal switch repeaterrelay NWP, and the previously traced circuit of the lock valve magnets.Latch contact I3 of lever V may now be opened to deenergize magnet I4and release locking dog I5 into engagement with segment IT.

The operator may restore the switch points of crossover VI to theirrespective normal positions, by moving lever V from its reverse positionR to its normal position N. The operation of the apparatus in such anevent will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawing, andfurther detailed description is believed unnecessary.

It is to be noted that the circuit arrangement represented in Fig. 1provides protection against improper operation should energy beimproperly applied to any of the control circuits due to crossed wires,faulty insulation, etc. For example, should a positive cross be presentat any time on the circuits of the normal valve magnets NV or on thecircuit of normal switch repeater relay NWP, this improper condition ofthe apparatus is detected whenlever V is operated in an attempt to movethe points of the crossover W. The operation of the lever may open levercontact IE], whereupon under normal conditions the normal valve magnetsNV and the normal switch repeater relay NWP become deenergized. If,however, a positive cross exists on the circuits of either the normalvalve magnets or the normal switch repeater relay, energy is thenmaintained on such circuits due tothe cross, after lever contact Itopens, and as a result the normal valve magnets NV and repeater relayNWP remain energized. When the lever reaches its Y position, it isapparent that the reverse valvemagnets RV, and thelock valve magnets LV,remain deenergized due to the factthat back contacts 23 and 24 ofrelayNWP, inter-posed respectively in the circuits of 'such" valvemagnets, are-retained open. This failure-ofthe-control apparatusto-respondto-the lever movement in-.

dicatesan improper condition existing in the apparatus, and prevents anychange in the position ofthe apparatus until the improper conditionhas-been corrected. a a g fl-Similar-protection is-provided should apositive-cross-exist-on any part of the circuits of reverse :valvemagnets RV- or reverse switch repeater relay RWP, as is obvious from aninspection of the drawing. 1

- As -indicated in the drawing, the switch repeater relays NWP andRWPmay be employed,:as is the usual practice, tocontrol signalsgoverningrailway traflicover the stretches of -track.- Such signals,and-thecircuits for governing such signals,- have been omitted from thedrawing, however, since the particular arrangenientthereof forms no partof my presentinvention and may take any suitable form well known to theart.

- In Fig. 2, the'apparatus of Fig. 1 has been slightly modified toincorporate further cross protection. -This modification consistsin.inter-- posing levercontacts 28 and 29 m alternate paths, inthecircuit of lever lock magnet M; in moving contact 22 of relay RWPfrom its position in Fig. 1 intermediate the winding of relay NWP andthe contacts of controllers J, to a position inseries with lever contact28 in one alternate path of lever lock magnet M; and in a like fashionmoving-back contact 26 of relay NWP age 4, 1%

P. 1 Polar contact'in'ember .30 ofrelayP is posi-.

tioned intermediate terminal C and the windings of relays NWP-and RWP,and in one. position of the contact functions to prepare a pick-upcircuit for relay RWP and in the other position prepares a pick-upcircuit for relay NWP. Each repeater relay, when picked up over thepolar contact of relay P, completes for itself an obvious stick circuitpath which includes its own front contact.

' tion as viewed in Fig. 3, to prepare a'pick-up circuit for relay RWP.Relay 1 is of the polar stick type arrangedso that when deenergized therelay maintainsits polar contact member in its last operated position,hence when lever V is moved by the operator and lever contact HJ fromits position in Fig. 1 intermediate the windprotection afforded by thearrangement of Fig. 1,

and 'in' addition functions to prevent a lever movement should a crossexist on the circuit of the repeater relay at a point intermediate thecontacts of circuit'controllers J and the relay winding. For example, ifthe apparatus is in its normal condition as represented in Fig. 2, sothat :normal valve magnets NV and normal switch re- ;peater relay NWPare energized,and a positive cross exists on the circuit of reverseswitch refpeater relay RWP at a point intermediate its winding and thecontacts of controllers J, relay iRWP will be energized to open its backcontacts 2!, 22 and 25. When, therefore, lever V is moved in an attemptto reverse crossover W, lever lock tion of relay RWP due to the crossedwire, and the alternate path including lever contact 29' cannot becomeclosed since dog l5 engages pro- ;jection [6 to prevent movement of thelever to) :its Y position wherein'contact 29 may be closed- Theapparatus of Fig. 2 is arranged, as is obvious from an inspection of thedrawing, to pre-: vent a movement of lever V from its reverse position Rto its normal position N should a positive cross exist on the circuit ofnormal switch;

repeater relay NWP at a point intermediate its:

winding and the contacts of controllers J.

In Fig. 3, a modification of the apparatus rep-- resented in Fig. 1 isillustrated wherein a polar' relay P is provided and-is caused to.operate its "polar contact member 33 to one extreme position -ortheother according as contact 3| of. relay opens to open the energizingcircuit of relay NWP, polar contact member 30 of relay. P is retained inits normal position. after front contact 3| of relay NWP opens. RelayRWP accordingly becomes energized, after the points of crossover W reachtheir respective reverse. positions as indicated by members 5 of circuitcontrollers J bridging contact members 8 and 9, over a circuit whichcorresponds to. the energizing circuit pointed out for relay RWP inconnection with the apparatus of Fig. 1, and which circuit additionallyincludes polar contact 36 of relay P in its normal position.

The energization of relay RWP causes its front contact 34 to close andthus complete an alternate stick circuit path around polar contactmember 30 of relay P, hence relay RWP remains energized after polarcontact member 30 of relay P is swung to its reverse orright-handposition due to current supplied to the relay over front contact 32 ofrelay RWP. Polar contactmember 30 in its reverse position preparesapick-up circuit for relay NWP, and it is apparent that when theoperator restores lever V to its normal position, relay NWP is causedtopick up after the points of crossover W have reached their respectivenormal positions, over its circuit including polar contact member 3ilinits reverse position. The energization of relay NWP causes its frontcontact 33 to close and complete its stick circuit path, and also causesrelay P to swing its polar contact member 30 to its normal position.

From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that relay P of Fig. 3functions, in a manner equivalent to the usual lever operated quickswitch, to require each operation of the crossover to be completedbefore permitting the apparatus to be restored to the condition whereincontrol of the signals may be effected.- That is to say, if the.operator attempts to reverse the crossover by "reversing lever V-, thecrossover must operate to its full reverse position and pick up relayRWP and reverse the contact of relay P, before-relay iNWP can, uponrestoration of the lever to its normal position, be reenergized tocomplete a signal control circuit for a train movement over thecrossover in its normal position. This arrangement insures that allapparatus has been :restored to its normal condition, and particularlyNWP=or contact/.32 .of,r.e1 .y-RWP is closed, to complete an obviousenergizing circuit for relay 75 that the valve magnets,.which;are notdirectly checked. in Fig. 3, are in their normal condition.

From the foregoing description, it is readily apparent that I haveprovided novel and improved simplified systems for controlling railwaytrack switches, and that such systems incorporate the usual safeguardsagainst improper operation due to grounds, crosses, etc. It is alsoapparent that the systems may readily be modified for controlling singleswitches in the place of crossovers, in which latter event the valvemagnets of only a single switch mechanism would be controlled.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of railwaytraffic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understoodthat various changes and modifications may be made therein within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a switch control system of the class wherein a railway trackswitch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreementwith the normal or reverse position of a control lever through themedium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected withthe switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet andefiective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch tooperate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal orreverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoingapparatus of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverseswitch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnetincluding in series a normal position contact of the lever and a backcontact of said reverse position switch repeater relay, a circuit forsaid reverse valve magnet including in series a reverse position contactof the lever and a back contact of said normal position switch repeaterrelay, a circuit for said lock valve magnet including in series backcontacts of said normal and reverse position switch repeater relays, acircuit for energizing.

said normal position switch repeater relay in multiple with said normalvalve magnet and including a contact operated by said switch mechanismand closed when and only when said switch occupies its. normal position,and a circuit for energizing said reverse position switch repeater relayin multiple with said reverse valve magnet and including a contactoperated by said switch and closed when and only when said switchoccupies its reverse position.

2. In a switch control system of the class wherein a railway trackswitch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreementwith the normal or reverse position of a control lever through themedium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected withthe switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet andefiective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch tooperate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal orreverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoingapparatus of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverseswitch position repeater relay; a circuit including in series a sourceof current, a normal position contact of said lever, a back contact ofsaid reverse position repeater relay, and in multiple said normal valvemagnet and said normal position repeater relay, said normal positionrepeater relay having in series therewith a contact operated by saidswitch mechanism and closed only when said switch is in its normalposition; a circuit including in series a source of current, a reverseposition contact of said lever, a back contact of said normal positionrepeater relay, and in multiple said reverse valve magnet and saidreverse position repeater relay, said reverse position repeater relayhaving in series therewith a contact operated by said switch mechanismand closed only when said switch is in its reverse position; and acircuit including in series a source of current, back contacts of saidnormal and said reverse position switch repeater relays, and said lockvalve magnet,

3. In a switch control system for causing a railway track switch tooperate to a normal or a reverse position according as a switch controllever is in its normal or its reverse position, the combination with theswitch and the lever and a switch operating mechanism operativelyconnected to the switch and having a normal valve magnet, a reversevalve magnet and a lock magnet and effective to cause operation of theswitch to its normal or its reverse position according as said normal orsaid reverse valve magnet is energized when said lock magnet isenergized, of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverseswitch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnetincluding a contact of said lever closed in its normal position and aback contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuitfor said reverse valve magnet including a contact of said lever closedin its reverse position and a back contact of said normal switchposition repeater relay, a circuit for said lock magnet including inseries back contacts of said normal and said reverse switch positionrepeater relays, a circuit for connecting said normal switch positionrepeater relay in multiple with said normal valve magnet and includinganother back contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay anda contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed when and onlywhen said switch is in its normal position, and a circuit for connectingsaid reverse switch position repeater relay in multiple with saidreverse valve magnet and including another back contact of said normalswitch position repeater relay and a contact operated by said switchmechanism and closed when and only when said switch is in its reverseposition.

4. In a switch control system for causing a railway track switch tooperate to a normal or a reverse position according as a switch controllever is in its normal or its reverse position, the combination with theswitch and the lever and a switch operating mechanism operativelyconnected to the switch and having a normal valve magnet, areverse'valve magnet and a lock magnet and effective to cause operationof the switch to its normal or its reverse position according as saidnormal or said reverse valve magnet is energized when said lock magnetis energized, of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverseswitch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnetincluding a contact of said lever closed in its normal position and aback contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuitfor said reverse valve magnet including a contact of said lever closedin its reverse position and a back contact of said normal switchposition repeater relay, a circuit for said lock magnet including inseries back contacts of said normal and said reverse switch positionrepeater relays, a polar relay of the type that when deenergized retainsits polar contact member in its last operated position, a circuit forsupplying current of normal or reverse relative polarity to said polarrelay according as said normal or reverse switch repeater relay isenergized, a pick-up circuit for connecting said normal switch positionrepeater relay in multiple with said normal valve magnet and includinganother back contact of said reverse position switch repeater relay anda contact operated by said switch and closed only when said switch is inits normal position and a polar contact closed in the reverse positionof said polar contact of said polar relay, a stick circuit path forenergizing said normal switch repeater relay and including its own frontcontact interposed in said pick-up circuit around said reverse polarcontact of said polar relay, another pick-up circuit for connecting saidreverse switch position repeater relay in multiple with said reversevalve magnet and including another back contact of said normal switchposition repeater relay and a contact operated by said switch and closedonly in the reverse position of said switch and a normal polar contactof said polar relay closed when said polar contact occupies its normalposition, and a stick circuit path for energizing said reverse switchposition repeater relay and including its own front contact interposedin said other pickup circuit around said normal polar contact of saidpolar relay,

5. In a switch control system of the class wherein a railway trackswitch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreementwith the normal or reverse position of a control lever through themedium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected withthe switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet andeffective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch tooperate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal orreverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoingapparatus of locking means for said lever effective when deenergized toprevent movement of said lever from its normal to its reverse positionand vice versa, together with a normal switch position repeater relayand a reverse switch position repeater relay; a circuit including inseries a source of current, a normal position contact of said lever, aback contact of said reverse position repeater relay, and in multiplesaid normal valve magnet and said normal position repeater relay, saidnormal position repeater relay having in series therewith a contactoperated by said switch mechanism and closed only when said switch is inits normal position; a circuit including in series a source of current,a reverse position contact of said lever, a back contact of said normalposition repeater relay, and in multiple said reverse valve magnet andsaid reverse position repeater relay, said reverse position repeaterrelay having in series therewith a contact operated by said switchmechanism and closed only when said switch is in its reverse position; acircuit including in series a source of current, back contacts of saidnormal and said reverse position switch repeater relays, and said lockvalve magnet; and means for energizing said locking means over a circuithaving two alternate paths, one of which includes a normal positioncontact of said lever and a back contact of said reverse switch positionrepeater relay and the other path of which includes a reverse positioncontact of said lever and a back contact of said normal switch positionrepeater relay.

HENRY S. YOUNG.

